Read Online Unconditional by Lauren Dane - Free Book Online

you two can have a drink since Josh and I can’t really get drunk.”
    She smiled. “That must sort of suck.”
    Josh patted his belly again. “There are other benefits. I’d rather be able to eat like a horse.”
    She snorted a laugh. “You ate like a horse before you got bit too.”
    He grinned. “Yeah, but that seventeen-year-old-boy metabolism only lasts so long.”
    They drove over to a small diner where she ordered a pot of coffee and a stack of pancakes. Damon and Josh of course ordered enough food for four people but the server didn’t even bat an eye.
    Pam the cop came in right as their food arrived. She asked the server to bring a farmer’s breakfast and more coffee, and then she turned to Josh, nodding.
    “No further sightings of the SUV north of here. One more west of that gas station. Charlie hasn’t been very helpful. He lawyered up right away. Our contact in the coroner’s office says the dead guy was human.”
    “There was magick in the room.”
    Pam nodded. “Whatever ripped him apart wasn’t human, that’s for sure. No teeth marks found so at least it’s not going to be pinned on Weres. Given the time of death, it couldn’t have been a Vampire. I’m not sure what else would have had the power to do that.”
    “I’m a little freaked that a spell could manage something so horrible and violent.” Josh shoved a biscuit and two pieces of bacon in his mouth like a machine.
    “To be fair, those aren’t witches. That’s mage magic. I don’t know all of it, but enough to know they don’t have the same rede we have. Witches like those in clans like Owen and in the covens hold to a belief system that says we don’t use our power to harm anyone except in self-defense.”
    Her phone rang. “I need to take this.” She stood and moved outside, not wanting to be rude. Josh followed, holding his plate.
    “I don’t want you alone. Take your call.”
    She rolled her eyes but answered.
    “Michelle? I’m Lark Jaansen, I work with Clan Owen. I just wanted to call and check in with you.”
    “I appreciate that. We don’t know much more. It’s definitely mages. I caught their energies at two rest stops and then at a gas station here in Portland. We found a dead body there too.” She went over all the rest with Lark, asking questions here and there, clearly taking notes.
    “I have to deal with a disappearance here, so I can’t come down and Gage is on an investigation as well. Normally we’d send someone from our Hunter team but we’re…drowning right now. This is…there’s a lot of horrible stuff going on, I’m sorry to say. But we have some contacts there in Portland and I’d very much like it if you’d get in touch with them. The support will be helpful. And I hate the thought of you being alone in all this. The wolves are helping, which is good. In fact, this witch is mated to a wolf. But we want you to be supported. I know the missing woman is your friend. That has to be hard. And she’s one of ours, as all witches here are. I hate that you have to be on your own.”
    Somehow it was this last bit that got to her and pushed the tears she’d been trying too hard to bury to the surface. She didn’t need that. So she wiped a hand over her eyes and ignored Josh, who perked up when she did it.
    She cleared her throat. “I appreciate it. I think I may already know who she is. Damon, one of the wolves, has a mate who’s a witch. I got the feeling things were escalating out of control when I last spoke with Gage. I’m sorry. It’s not good for any of us. But I’m a cop, I have the tools. And the wolves are helping me so much as well.”
    “Thank you for understanding. Doesn’t make it right, but…well I’m glad you understand. Please do get in contact with the local folks and reach out when and if you need anything. We’ll do everything we can.” She gave Michelle the name and number of the contact before she hung up.
    She stared out over the parking lot and tried to get